Students at Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Punjab’s Phagwara staged a violent protest on Sunday after circulating claims that a female student was sexually assaulted on campus. The university has suspended regular classes for 10 days beginning September 28 and postponed mid-term examinations indefinitely. Police registered a rape case against an unidentified individual and formed a special investigation team (SIT) to probe the allegations.
Protest ignites and turns violent
The protest began near the girls’ hostel around 1 a.m. after students and social media users shared claims of a sexual assault by an outsider working at the university. Police reported that the alleged incident occurred approximately three days earlier, with students alleging the hostel warden was informed but failed to act. LPU has denied knowledge of any such incident, labeling the allegations as “false, baseless and fabricated.”
The unrest escalated as students damaged property, including window panes, university mall shops, and set fires. Protesters climbed on a decommissioned MiG-23 aircraft and a military tank displayed on campus. The demonstration expanded to blocking NH-44, the Delhi-Amritsar national highway, causing traffic disruptions. Clashes between protesters and police ensued, with stones thrown at personnel and vehicles. Police deployed a lathi charge to clear the highway.
Police investigation and university response
Jalandhar Range DIG Naveen Singla stated that the FIR was registered under rape provisions, with the SIT including forensic, CCTV, and phone-data analysis. Student representatives will participate in the probe. Preliminary checks at the hostel room identified by protesters did not corroborate the allegations, as the three occupants denied any incident occurred there.
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Police also referenced a separate suicide case involving a female LPU student from Telangana 15 days prior. The student’s phone is undergoing forensic examination, with further action pending evidence of foul play. LPU released a video featuring three students from the disputed room, though Hindustan Times reported these students later claimed they were instructed to make the statements.
The university emphasized that certain individuals were spreading rumors through social media and other channels. It urged students, parents, and the public to avoid sharing unverified information and rely on official communications. Classes resumed remotely via the University Management System (UMS), with revised exam schedules to follow.
Aftermath and security measures
Traffic on NH-44 resumed Monday morning after a 15-hour blockade, with over 2,000 police personnel deployed around LPU. Security remains tight, with restrictions on student movement within hostels and a ban on activities linked to the unrest. Students may travel home during the 10-day suspension after consulting guardians.
